P5N-E Issues.

[Nairb]

So last night I just finished building a new P5N-E SLI based system and I'm having nothing but problems with it.

Here's what I have:

P5N-E SLI with 0401 Bios
(2) CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR 800
Intel E6600

I'm suffering from major instability at non-overclocked speeds. I've gotten numerous BSODs while just running Windows. I couldn't even install Vista without removing one of the RAM sticks.

So I'm wondering what settings I should be using for memory on this system. The RAM I bought is rated at 4-4-4-12. I would think that leaving everything up to the bios would at least get me stability, but that hasn't been the case.

Besides the ram issues, I'm wondering what drivers I need to install for Vista. Surprisingly Vista installed without prompting me for any drivers. There are several downloads available on ASUS's site, but most seem to be for RAID, which I'm not using. What have other people installed?

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[idiotekniQues]

what kind of hard drives do u have

 

[Nairb]

I'm using a Seagate 7200.10 320 GB SATA drive. It's given me no problems in the past.

 

[moosey]

i didn't see any new Vista drivers for the 650i chipset yet located here... http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Also, what voltage are you running the memory at? Does it specify that it need more than the usual 1.8V?

 

[idiotekniQues]

you have vista running it seems.

not sure if vista does it automatically or not, or not but check and see if that drive is compaitble with native command queing. if it isnt then find out how to check and see if it is enabled or not in vista. if it turns out to be enabled, disable it.

 

[Nairb]

I can't' even get the machine past the initial post screen when both memory sticks are in the black slots. This is with the defaults loaded for the system.

 

[idiotekniQues]

why dont u use xp?

 

[moosey]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...t=ENE&Manufactory=1666&SubCategory=147

depending on which memory you have, it'll need between 1.9 and 2.1v. Adjust that in the BIOS and see if you can get into Windows.

 

[Nairb]

I'm using Vista because I like it. The problem seems to be manifesting itself prior to Windows even launching.

Right now I'm trying to determine three things:
1) Is the RAM bad?
2) Is the MB bad?
3) Is there a set of configuration options that will fix my problems?

The memory is supposed to be at 2.1v according to the product sheet: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/products/specs/TWIN2X1024-6400C4.pdf

 

[moosey]

will it even run memtest?

 

[Nairb]

Originally posted by: moosey
will it even run memtest?

Memtest is pretty sporatic. I've received quite a few errors and just general lockups when running it. It does ok with one black slot, but putting in both fails quite quickly. Independently, each stick seems pretty good, but the board just seems to have problems.

 

[Tyrantt00]

Hmmm...what power supply are you using?

 

[Nairb]

Originally posted by: Tyrantt00
Hmmm...what power supply are you using?

It's a Neotec that came with the case, an Antec P150. I have a hard time believing it is the power supply. It's brand new and the system stability was very dependent upon the placement/number of ram modules plugged in.

I've given up at this point and requested an RMA from Newegg. I'm debating trying another one of these or going for a BadAx 2. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Fiat1]

No shorts with the case and MB?

 

[ed6612]

My system started exhibiting the same exact problems (with a setup very similar to Nairbs). I put it together a month ago and it ran XP great with default (non OC'd settings).

Now suddnly, and without making changes to either software or hardware, the system is very unstable. I am seeing random application crashes, freezes and BSODs that point to hardware as the cause. XP often blue screens before finishing loading.

I ran Memtest86+ and it detected thousands of memory errors shortly after starting.

Here are the troubleshooting steps I have taken that did NOT solve the stability issue using bios default (auto) settings:

1. I tried booting the system with either of the two memory sticks in case one of the modules is defective. Still get the same amount of errors during Memtest86+ with either module.
2. Default BIOS was 0202, updated to 0401
3. Replaced the Antec NeoHE 550 Watt power supply with Antec TruePower 2.0 480 Watt
4. Tried relocating memory modules from yellow slots (closer to the CPU) to black slots (farther from the CPU)

Memory is dual-channel at: 5-5-5-18 T2 although it is rated at 4-4-4-12. Either setting is equally unstable. Also tried manually setting RAM voltage to 2-2.1v, did not help.

My temps are always around the following:

CPU: 30C
MB: 34C

From all of this, does it seem that my board is now hosed? As luck would have it this happened right after 30-day Newegg return period expired so now I have to go the ASUS support route . I don't really suspect the RAM since either module by itself produces equal amount of errors (thousands) and I tried a different PS. Can't really single out the CPU since I only have one.

Thanks for any feedback

Specs:

ASUS P5N-E SLI
C2D E6600 w/ Tuniq Tower 120
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
EVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTS
Antec NeoHE 550W
2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500gb(RAID 1)

all enclosed and shielded by the mighty CM Stacker 830

-Ed

 

[DoobieOnline]

Sorry to hear about your probs, Ed. If you check out the user reviews of your RAM at newegg, you'll see that many people had sticks die shortly after installing them. Corsair is aware of the problem and posting replies to the negative reviews at newegg. I'd RMA the memory and hope to get better modules.

Corsair Tech Support
ramguy@corsairmemory.com
1-800-205-7657

 

[Numble]

My first build and first post. Running xp

First off, if you're stable in BIOS 0202, I'd suggest keeping it.

Shared so many of the same problems as you guys, was compelled to write... Just recovered from boot failure after rig was down more than 24 hours. =D
Using 2GB Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048 PC2 6400 800MHZ, was running fine @ stock timings of 4-4-4-12 in BLACK slots until BIOS flash to 0401. (**NOTE The only instability I had encountered since I built my rig about 3 weeks ago, actually occured not long before I flashed. I had some conflicts with my NVIDIA WDM drivers which may have, in turn, caused some of the instabilities I mention below.).

Used windows updater for the flash to 0401, prompted me to reboot. Could not make it past beep after reboot. Could not even enter BIOS. Tried every combo of CMOS clear/disable device. FINALLY got to Post after I tried just one stick in the b1 slot (the yellow slot furthest form the processor), after taking advice from Asus tech support.

Finally got to Windows which froze, repeatedly. At least I was able to hard reboot and get into BIOS this time around. Below includes my current status. I may change some settings later, but I FINALLY got to a stable state so I'm not even going to think about messing around until I get some feedback about this BIOS. I'm convinced most of my problems came from the new BIOS and this board/memory pairing.

*Ram WILL NOT WORK in black slots now, only yellow
*Had to lax RAM timings to 5-5-5-12 2T (This board likes manual timings!)
SLI Ready RAM EPP setting to 0%
standard voltages/clocks
Also be sure to check the boot device priority in BIOS, mine changed after update and favored my IDE devices over the SATA ones.

Then my own personal windows struggle involved what was apparently a corrupt audio driver or hardware conflict. I am using integrated audio, but dunno if it was a bios related corruption. Uninstalled/reinstalled audio hardware and drivers with the new release off the Asus website.

Good luck folks!

 

[Nairb]

Numble and Ed,

Your experiences are virtually identical to mine. RAM only worked in one yellow slot, and even then there were memory errors. I wasted a good twelve hours working on the machine and finally gave up and RMA'd it to NewEgg.

I bought a new Intel Bad Axe 2 board. It's not the most tweaker friendly, but so far memtest hasn't given me any errors after about an hour. That's with the FSB overclocked to 290 and using 4-4-4-12 settings. This is the exact same memory that wouldn't work with the P5N-E SLI.

I'll get to installing Windows Vista on my machine tonight and report back. So far, so good though!

 

[ed6612]

Wow, thanks for the feedback. I just sent off my RAM back to Newegg for replacement but also opened a case with ASUS and left it on standby. If the new ram doesn't work for me I will have to swap the board. Too bad since everything was working great for a month.

 

[Tyrantt00]

Originally posted by: Nairb

Originally posted by: Tyrantt00
Hmmm...what power supply are you using?

It's a Neotec that came with the case, an Antec P150. I have a hard time believing it is the power supply. It's brand new and the system stability was very dependent upon the placement/number of ram modules plugged in.

I've given up at this point and requested an RMA from Newegg. I'm debating trying another one of these or going for a BadAx 2. Decisions, decisions.

While reading various threads in different forums, I noticed people make mention of issues regarding certain Asus motherboards and Antec power supplies. I did a Google search and didn't see anything specifically mentioning issues between the Neotec and P5N-E SLI though.

 

[shapkahead]

I'm in the same boat, and somehow, that's comforting.
My sig is accurate. I was stable with 0202, but couldn't even get the FSB past 300. RAM passed memtest, etc. with flying colors. But when I tried upping either the FSB OR the memory speed, it went unstable very quickly.

0401 made the system totally unstable, even at default settings (and at 2T).

I have an Antec NeoHE 550, but I was having these problems with my previous PSU, too, so that's not causing these problems. Incidentally, if you have a NeoHE, Antec will replace it with an ASUS-compatible version of the same PSU if you have issues (mine powered up whenever IT felt like it).

Please let me know if any of you find a solution! I can't seem to see what we all have in common that differs from all of those lucky punks on the huge 650i thread here that got theirs to work. Since my RAM passes all the memory testing I'm throwing at it, I'm guessing it has to be the mobo, especially since y'all are experiencing the same problems. So far, ASUS has been no help to me . . .

 

[GamingDaemon]

You guys are scaring me! I am putting a shopping list together for a new rig for Vista and a new nVidia 8800 GTX video card and was planning to use the P5N-E SLI mobo because of the 650i chipset. Now, I'm not so sure.

Should I avoid this motherboard??

 

[shapkahead]

Originally posted by: GamingDaemon
You guys are scaring me! I am putting a shopping list together for a new rig for Vista and a new nVidia 8800 GTX video card and was planning to use the P5N-E SLI mobo because of the 650i chipset. Now, I'm not so sure.

Should I avoid this motherboard??

It will probably end up being a solid motherboard, but it's way too buggy right now. If I were to do it over again, I'd get the DS3. It's just not worth the risk or the grief.

 

[Numble]

I'd just like to update that I am still stable on 0401 @ stock CPU
I cannot even TOUCH the memory timings ... although stock is 4-4-4-12, I am forced to keep 5-5-5-15 2T, yellow slots. Windows freezes were a direct result of memory timings, so I've settled for the lax timings.

*Just a tip for anyone who can't get into 0401 Bios, throw a single RAM stick into the b-1 (yellow) slot and clear CMOS, that should get you in there.

As long as I don't mess with anything, I am stable as a three-legged man. I thought I'd throw a curve ball in there and install Vista tonight, so let's see where that takes us! I will start to push the CPU speeds soon, I'll keep you updated. I'm convinced there's a workaround for everything!

One thing's for sure, this BIOS is F****D

 

[GamingDaemon]

Originally posted by: Numble
I'd just like to update that I am still stable on 0401 @ stock CPU
I cannot even TOUCH the memory timings ... although stock is 4-4-4-12, I am forced to keep 5-5-5-15 2T, yellow slots. Windows freezes were a direct result of memory timings, so I've settled for the lax timings.

*Just a tip for anyone who can't get into 0401 Bios, throw a single RAM stick into the b-1 (yellow) slot and clear CMOS, that should get you in there.

As long as I don't mess with anything, I am stable as a three-legged man. I thought I'd throw a curve ball in there and install Vista tonight, so let's see where that takes us! I will start to push the CPU speeds soon, I'll keep you updated. I'm convinced there's a workaround for everything!

One thing's for sure, this BIOS is F****D

So if you had stayed with the 202 BIOS, do you think you would be doing better?